Buccaneers training camp battle breakdowns: Third wide receiver
Chris Godwin
You know how sometimes you are in that steady relationship with a person that you are very comfortable with, and all of a sudden, someone else comes along that is exciting? They are new and different and you wonder what things might be like with them? That’s what we have here with Chris Godwin. Dubbed by some as a steal in the third round of the draft, Godwin brings skills and excitement to this receiver room.
Look at the numbers:
| Receiving | Rushing | Scrimmage | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
| *2014 | Penn State | Big Ten | FR | WR | 13 | 26 | 338 | 13.0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0.5 | 0 | 28 | 339 | 12.1 | 2 |
| *2015 | Penn State | Big Ten | SO | WR | 13 | 69 | 1101 | 16.0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 69 | 1101 | 16.0 | 5 | |
| 2016 | Penn State | Big Ten | JR | WR | 13 | 59 | 982 | 16.6 | 11 | 1 | 13 | 13.0 | 0 | 60 | 995 | 16.6 | 11 |
| Career | Penn State | 154 | 2421 | 15.7 | 18 | 3 | 14 | 4.7 | 0 | 157 | 2435 | 15.5 | 18 |
Keep in mind, that 2015 season was with Christian Hackenberg under center. Nearly 36% of his passes that year with to Godwin, and this is the same Hackenberg that may not beat out the “great” Josh McCown for the starting job in New York. To say that shows a lot about Godwin’s ability would be an understatement. This young man can play.
He also can get down the field which is exciting to Bucs fans and players alike. Over the last two years, Godwin averaged at least 16 yards per reception. By comparison, Humphries averages less than 11 yards per reception over the same period of time. At 6-1, Godwin stands to create more matchup problems than Humphries does at 5-11.
The question will be if Godwin can earn the trust of the quarterback quickly enough. They are going to put the best players on the field, but make no mistake, they will put out the ones that Winston is comfortable with as well. His word carries weight. Yes, Godwin has turned heads at OTA’s. It’s spring football. We need to see him do it in pads before we anoint him the winner of the job.